The Brisbane Opal Museum and Jewellery Shop have recently moved to a larger space to allow for group tours and educational excursions. You can pop into the jewellery shop anytime and if you are interested you can discuss creating a custom design.
A self-guided tour is a great way to learn all about opals, especially how amazing Queensland opals are. You can pop in anytime and pay $5 admission.
You’ll start off with a seven-minute video covering the history and how opals are created.
Did you know that 90% of opals are mined in Australia?
You can then wander around the museum and watch more short videos. You’ll see many amazing glittering opals. The collection includes samples some of the different opal types and patterns. Many of these opals are found in South Australia and outback Queensland. You can view solid opal, opal nobby, seam opal, Queensland bolder, yowah hut and Queensland matrix and more.
You can view a working lapidary room where opals are cut and polished. Be impressed by the Queensland boulders opals. These can be made into custom necklaces, engagement and statement rings.
There is also a photo of when Andy Warhol was first introduced to opals. He commented on Laurence Hope’s opal pendant necklace. This led to Andy creating the Opal series of paintings and amassing a large personal collection of opals.
The Queen was gifted with the Andamode Opal Parure (a set of matching jewellery) as a gift from the South Australian government. You can see a photo of this amazing piece – I hope she wears it again soon.
Brisbane Opal Museum and Jewellery Shop have a great collection of these amazing and beautiful gemstones.
Bookings are essential for guided tours and the gold class tour. The later includes cutting your own opal to keep. A once in a lifetime experience where you can watch your piece of rough, precious opal being cut and polished in house.
An easy walk from the Windsor train station and bus stops nearby.
About Brisbane Opal Museum and Jewellery Shop
Brisbane Opal Museum and Jewellery Shop website: https://www.brisbaneopalmuseum.com.au/
Address: 201 Lutwyche Rd, Windsor, Brisbane, AU 4030
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